Community concern at Tesco store development

CONCERNS have been raised about a proliferation of supermarkets in a Sheffield suburb after work started on a new Tesco Express store.

The branch is being created at the former Clun House offices in Turners Lane, off Whitham Road, Broomhill and it is due to open in November.

But Broomhill already has a Eurospar on Fulwood Road, and there are concerns Sainsbury’s may be wanting to move into the Williamson Hardware shop.

The landlords of the hardware store’s premises have obtained planning permission to change the layout of the building – widely seen as paving the way for a supermarket – once the current Williamson lease ends in November.

There were 145 objections to the scheme for the Williamson site but just three people commented about the Turners Lane application, mainly about traffic issues.

But Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, Lib Dem leader on Sheffield Council and who represents the area, said: “The application was by a property company and nobody was aware it was going to be Tesco.

“It was only when the hoardings were put up around the site for building work that anyone realised who the developer was.

“It’s worrying that Tesco should operate in this way. They should be open about their developments.”

Concern about the new Tesco was raised at a meeting of Broomhill Forum.